In a move which is at once surprising, yet not surprising at all, Capcom has at long last announced the long-awaited sequel to Mega Man Legends 2. Appropriately, Mega Man Legends 3, or rather, "Mega Man Legends 3 Project," will be in 3D, for Nintendo's new 3DS handheld.

So, how about that Keiji Inafune special interview? Did you like that?

As you can see, Inafune is very enthusiastic about this project. And that new development style that he said he would go into more detail about later, I’m sure you won't be disappointed by that. We think not only fans of the series, but anyone interested in Mega Man Legends will be like, “What? ...OMG!!!”

When I and the rest of the staff first heard that were that we were doing this, we were shaking in our boots. All of us were asking our bosses, “Are you guys serious?”

But the proposition was interesting to say the least. So, now here we are making intense preparations and trying to stay on schedule.

...Having said that, there are so many details about the project that I am dying to tell all of you... but you'll have to wait and let your imaginations run wild for just a little longer, until the Comic Con in New York next month!

Until then, I'll use this blog to introduce to members of my team, and tell you a little about what's going on here in the Dev Lab. I'll do my best to update it at least once a week, so check back often!

In exchange for the following image, we ask that you please keep cursing to a minimum; it just makes more work for us.

And now, we leave you with this fun fact: this announcement comes nearly 10 years to the date of the North American release of Mega Man Legends 2.

Funner fact: More info is still to come at the New York Comic-Con next month, where they will explain how "fans will have an opportunity to be part of the development process like never before as they interact directly with the team!"

UPDATE: Here's additional info from Keiji Inafune's introduction video on the CoJ site. Thanks to Toshihisa for the translation.

Hello, I am Inafune.
Finally we are announcing a sequel to the Rockman DASH!
I am sure many of you were waiting for this, but no one has been waiting for this project as much as I have.
I really, really wanted to make it, but the previous title just didn't sell, and as a company that makes it extremely difficult to proceed.
At times I wasn't sure myself if we could do it, but now I am filled with courage and really getting into this project.
I have been dreaming about making DASH 3 for so long that it may just burn out.
But, I am making sure we properly make this an amazing title, and I personally intend to take part in this title more than any other game right now.
I hope you are all excited about DASH 3.
"What happened since DASH 2?" is something I want you all to think about. Of course, I intend to have all that written into the game.
Also, we are taking on the challenge of making a new game. I will talk about the details at a later date.
We are not simply creating DASH 3, but we are creating a game that everyone will be able to enjoy, so please wait for more details.
From me, a very, very happy Inafune. Thank you very much!

UPDATE 2: Viewer Toshihisa has taken note of something interesting found on the Japanese website:

"Number of players: 1*"

"*Since the player number is something in development, there is the possibility it will change."

Clearly, it sounds as though Inafune and his team are at least investigating the possibility of multiplayer. Of course, how it would work (or who would be playable) remains anyone's guess at this time.